Often, protestants argue that baptism is purely symbolic, that the graces given from God at baptism are solely based on faith, and that the ceremonial baptism, water and all, is simply figurative. This, of course, is in stark contrast to the Catholic understanding of baptism, which views the ritual of baptism as an essential part of the Sacrament. The whole practice, again, water and all, serves as a holistic expression of God's grace and respects the real Tradition of the Church Christ founded. In this non-exhaustive response to the...